Your Guide to Grout Cleaning and Maintenance

September 10, 2018
By
Lone Star Pro Services

Share

Beautiful tile may make your bathroom look lovely, but one of its downsides
is the grout, which does the job of keeping the tiles together, but –
because it’s porous and light-colored – it’s prone to
staining and can be damaged by water. Without proper maintenance, it’s
easy for grout to become stained and mildewed, quickly making it less
attractive. It can even crack, allowing water to seep behind the wall
and cause major damage. To keep your grout clean and extend its life,
here is your guide to grout cleaning and maintenance.

Daily

Wipe and spray your tiles every day after your bath or shower to keep them
clean and prevent premature staining and damage. Yes, it’s a chore,
but it’ll save you work (and money) in the long run. For this task,
you’ll need a good squeegee and a mild daily shower cleaner (make
your own by mixing a 4:1 solution of water to vinegar).

Weekly

In addition to the daily cleaning, it’s important to give your shower
or bath a deep clean at least every week (or, at worst, every two weeks).
These cleanings will require the use of water and baking soda paste. If
the grout looks a little more stained than usual, use hydrogen peroxide
instead of water – just be extra careful with it and be sure not
to mix it with vinegar. If your daily spray contained vinegar, make sure
it’s rinsed off thoroughly before you apply any hydrogen peroxide.

Seriously-stained grout

If your grout has somehow become seriously stained and/or grimy and your
daily shower cleaner or baking soda paste simply doesn’t cut it
anymore, it’s time to break out the bleach on those stains. One
easy way to apply it is with a bleach pen, but this is more for spot treatment.
For overall disinfection and stain treatment, try a product like OxyClean
or, for especially stubborn stains, a chloride bleach spray. Just be sure
to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, keep the area
well-ventilated, and rinse off with clean water.

When to change grout

When your grout begins to flake and break, and tiles start to come off,
it’s time to change it. You can try grout renewal first, which adds
a layer of color and protection against future staining, but if this isn’t
effective, it’s important to change the grout because not doing
so can allow water to seep into the wall and cause serious damage. You
have the options of either changing your grout yourself or having a professional do it.